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Career Entry-Level Programs

Did you have a great experience in one of DOT's internship programs? Have you completed your college degree? Are you ready to serve the nation's transportation systems by working in the Department of Transportation?

Strengthening and building our workforce requires unique and cutting-edge programs to develop the next generation of DOT employees. At DOT, we are working hard to provide exceptionally talented recent college graduates the opportunity to learn about the transportation industry and to gain the technical knowledge and expertise needed to maintain our nation's transportation systems.

DOT supports several outstanding and highly competitive entry-level employment programs including the new Transportation Career Residency Program; the Presidential Management Fellows Program; the DOT Honors Attorneys Program; and the Federal Highway Administration Professional Development Program.

Transportation Career Residency Program

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Career Residency Program sets your career in motion.  The two-year, paid professional development residency program provides recent graduates with an exceptional opportunity to become an integral part of DOT’s future. 

We are looking for motivated individuals who are innovative and academically prepared to fill “mission critical” positions as part of our Transportation Career Residency Program — your fast lane to professional development and career mobility.

The program provides Residents with a variety of challenging, yet rewarding, job rotations and work experiences.  Through a combination of mentoring, training, and development planning, Residents will enhance their strategic, management, and technical skills.

If you want an interesting career that impacts millions of lives, you should think about a career with the U.S. Department of Transportation.  The quality of our lives, the shape of our communities, and the productivity of our nation’s economy depend on our nation’s transportation systems.

You must be a United States Citizen to apply.  To be considered for the Career Residency Program, you must have a master’s degree from an accredited college or university, or a combination of education and experience equivalent to the GS-9 level.

The next class of DOT Residents will be recruited from select colleges and universities in 2009.  Targeted recruitment will focus on career paths, including Transportation Specialties, Engineering, and Business/Information Technology.  Please return to this site periodically for additional information on program recruitment.

Presidential Management Fellows Program

DOT is proud to support the Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF). The PMF program is a two-year Federal career developmental program for individuals with master's or doctorate degrees. This highly competitive program provides participants an opportunity to explore career opportunities in the Federal Government and gain valuable management, analytical and leadership skills.

Since its creation in 1977, the PMF program has attracted a cadre of individuals who have outstanding academic and professional backgrounds and a strong commitment to public service.

To learn more about the PMF program, we encourage you to visit the PMF website.

DOT Honors Attorneys Program

Every two years the DOT Office of the General Counsel sponsors and administers an Honors Attorney Program for new or recent law graduates. During the two-year program, each Honors Attorney spends at least four months in the General Counsel's office, and completes several four-month rotations in Chief Counsels' offices throughout DOT's Operating Administrations. Honors Attorneys receive challenging and responsible assignments and develop an understanding of the particular legal problems that face each DOT Operating Administration. They also have the opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of the DOT's activities and to learn how policy decisions are implemented.

To learn more about this exciting program, please visit the Honors Attorney Program website.

Federal Highway Professional Development Program

The FHWA Professional Development Program (PDP) is a dynamic and challenging program that provides approximately two years of entry-level career development for college graduates with a bachelor's or master's degree.

Several career options are offered in the PDP, with each career option having a different specialty to match your educational background, skills and interests. The PDP also provides participants with training opportunities; planned career development; attendance at a Professional Development Academy; geographic and occupational mobility; and diversified experience.

To learn more about this exciting program, please visit FHWA's PDP website.

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